Dr. Vanguir

Hi,

Thinking of getting a revision (lapband) to DS and looking into surgeons.  I live in MD and seem to have slim pickins in terms of surgeons.  Dr. Schweitzer no longer does DS in a single procedure for anyone. And Eleriny has a huge program fee, and I've heard horror stories about his office staff etc.)

Dr. Vanguir is listed on the DS website, but would like to know about others experience with him and his after care.

I'm also considering traveling to have Dr. Greenbaum perform the surgery, but if I can find a great surgeon locally that of course would be preferred.

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

On August 26, 2009 at 5:23 AM Pacific Time, strawberry28 wrote: Hi,

Thinking of getting a revision (lapband) to DS and looking into surgeons.  I live in MD and seem to have slim pickins in terms of surgeons.  Dr. Schweitzer no longer does DS in a single procedure for anyone. And Eleriny has a huge program fee, and I've heard horror stories about his office staff etc.)

Dr. Vanguir is listed on the DS website, but would like to know about others experience with him and his after care.

I'm also considering traveling to have Dr. Greenbaum perform the surgery, but if I can find a great surgeon locally that of course would be preferred.

Thanks for any insight you can provide. Vanguri or Vanguir?

One of my friends has recently had surgery with Dr. Vanguri - and is still suffering from complications so I'm nervous whenever someone mentions Vanguri.  Sorry.

Dr. Kuldeep Singh at St. Agnes hospital recently did a Lapband to VSG revision, and Heather is totally rocking it.  Any reason why you're considering DS?  I'm not familiar with it - so if you could let me know what's desirable about the DS?

Candy -

If you're talking about Heather M., Dr. Schweitzer at Bayview did her band to VSG revision.

And I second and third the rest of what you said!!!!  AND.....I don't like Franklin Square's care for their bariatric patients.

Tia

Whoa that's terrible.  Thank you so much for sharing that.  I had not heard much about Dr. V and thought that might mean nobody had anything good to say.

Now with the DS....So like I mentioned before, I already have a lapband, and it is just not doing much for me anymore.  Initially I lost about 70 pounds, got pregnant...now the band just isn't the same.  I am now about 30 pounds away from where I started in 2006 when I got my band.

Now all that being said, I am pissed that I even feel I need to consider another surgery.  The intention was to have surgery and it get me to goal (I got nowhere near goal) and work to maintain.

DS- I choose over RNY and here's why.  With the DS the top portion is same as a VSG- therefore, you have great restriction at first and still have your Pyloric valve (sp) so your stomach functions as naturally as before (no artificial pouch etc.) , no dumping and no real food restrictions after you are about 1 year out.  Nothing gets stuck and so forth.

The bottom part of the malabsorption part is somewhat similar to the RNY, but you have a greater amount of malabsorption (hence the larger stomach- to compensate a bit for the greater amount of malabsorption). 

Studies show (and read the revision board) that long term weight loss is far greater with DS than RNY. 

Both RNY and DSers need to take supplements for the rest of their life to remain healthy.  DSers will need to be extra vigilant in this area due to the greater degree of malabsortpion.

That's it in a nutshell, and as I understand it.

Check out these links and if you want additional info come over to the DS board and ask away.

Thanks again.

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/

http://www.dsfacts.com/

Sorry Tia - for some reason I kept thinking that she had Dr. Singh. 

Thank you for correcting me!  You are the best !  MUAH!

Candy and Tia I second what you said. I also have a family member that did not fair well with that surgeon to say the least.

Ya know - it would have been understandable had it been laparoscopic surgery - but the surgery was done in an OPEN format - meaning everything was there to see!  That, in my book, means no mistakes allowed PERIOD.  And poor Helen, she's really suffered for it.  I hope she still has her job and can get back to work very soon.

I've spent some time on the DS board and have heard WONDERFUL things about Greenbaum. I would say it's worth the trip. 

Thank you Angie.  I think that is good advice.  I think I will be hittin the road next year.